Paterson Police Department Explained

Agencyname:Paterson Police Department
Commonname:Paterson Police Department
Abbreviation:PPD
Formed:August 1, 1866
Country:United States
Divtype:State
Divname:New Jersey
Subdivtype:City
Subdivname:Paterson
Map:paterson_nj.png
Sizearea:8.6miĀ²
Sizepopulation:145,647 (2018)
Legaljuris:Paterson, New Jersey
Police:Yes
Local:Yes
Headquarters:111 Broadway
Paterson, NJ 07505
Sworntype:Officer
Sworn:400
Unsworn:150
Electeetype:Mayor of Paterson
Chief1name:Isa M. Abbassi
Chief1position:Officer in Charge[1]
Vehicle1type:Marked and Unmarked Vehicles

The Paterson Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the city of Paterson, New Jersey. It has about 400 sworn law enforcement officers and 125 support staff., it is under the control of the Attorney General of New Jersey in response to a series of incidents of misconduct and alleged misconduct, including three controversial shootings.

History

The department began operations on August 1, 1866. Before then, the city was protected by a city marshal and five watchmen, one for each ward.[2]

Eight Paterson policemen have died in the line of duty.[3]

In April 2011, 125 officers, described as "a quarter of the officers" were laid off due to budget problems.[4]

In February 2020, the City Council approved an outside audit of the police department following the arrest of an eighth officer involved in a corruption scandal[5] [6] and the death of an arrestee.[7] [8]

Paterson mayor Andre Sayegh fired police chief Troy Oswald in 2020,[9] and replacement chief Ibrahim Baycora in 2022.[10]

State takeover of department

The New Jersey Attorney General took over control of the Paterson Police Department on March 27, 2023, after the fatal police shooting of Najee Seabrooks.[11] Attorney General Matthew Platkin criticized the "revolving door" of police leadership in Paterson, which has resulted in dysfunction within police ranks and a lack of trust in local law enforcement.[12] Platkin's comments alluded to the challenges created by frequent turnover at the top of the police department and the negative impact it has had on community relations.[13]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: NJ attorney general selects NYPD veteran for officer in charge of Paterson Police Department . Elizabeth . Shwe . May 9, 2023 . Gothamist.
  2. Web site: Paterson Police Department History . Police Benevolent Association . 7 March 2020.
  3. Web site: New Jersey . Officer Down Memorial Page . 7 March 2020.
  4. News: 125 Paterson police officers laid off . 7 March 2020 . ABC-13 . 15 April 2011.
  5. Web site: Paterson police sergeant arrested as FBI corruption investigation widens, cops say. Anthony G. Attrino | NJ Advance Media for. NJ.com. January 7, 2020. nj.
  6. Web site: Auditors outline extensive review of Paterson Police Department. North Jersey.
  7. Web site: Paterson council approves audit of city police department. North Jersey.
  8. Web site: National Law Enforcement Experts Launch 9-Month Audit of Paterson Police Department. TAPinto.
  9. Web site: Rahman . Jayed . 2020-01-30 . Paterson bids farewell to its popular police chief Troy Oswald . 2023-05-08 . Paterson Times . en-US.
  10. Web site: NJ.com . Richard Cowen NJ Advance Media for . 2022-09-13 . Paterson officials fire police chief, allege he slept in meetings as crime surged . 2023-05-08 . nj . en.
  11. News: Tully . Tracey . 2023-03-27 . N.J. Attorney General Seizes Control of Paterson Police Department . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-05-08 . 0362-4331.
  12. Web site: Greene . Jonathan . 2023-03-27 . New Jersey attorney general assumes control of Paterson police force . 2023-05-08 . Paterson Times . en-US.
  13. Web site: Greene . Jonathan . 2023-03-27 . New Jersey attorney general assumes control of Paterson police force . 2023-05-08 . Paterson Times . en-US.